Oregon refuge occupier Jason Blomgren sentenced to probation

A federal judge sentenced a North Carolina man on Monday to two years on probation for his role in last year’s takeover of a national wildlife refuge in Oregon. U.S. District Judge Robert Jones also ordered Jason Blomgren to pay $3,000 restitution. The judge, however, expressed doubt that Blomgren — with $3.83 to his name — would be able to pay. “You’re about as broke as anyone I’ve seen,” Jones said at the hearing in Portland. Blomgren traveled to southeastern Oregon in January 2016 to perform guard duty during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy months before the autumn 2016 trial in which occupation leader Ammon Bundy and six others were acquitted. Blomgren had been subpoenaed by the government to testify against Bundy, but was not called as a witness...more